Look inside the world of a 'sneakerhead'

<p>A sneakerhead is willing to spend hours in line for a limited-edition sneaker release and has a large collection of mint-condition shoes.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 10, 2018, 8:55 PM

Updated 2,118 days ago

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If you have dozens of pairs of high-end sneakers and don't mind standing in line to get them -- you might just be a sneakerhead.
That's a hard-core sneaker enthusiast. According to Jay Wong, owner of Jwongboutique in Manhattan, a sneakerhead is someone who's willing to spend hours in line for a limited-edition sneaker release and has a large collection of mint-condition shoes. Snagging the hottest pairs right as they're released becomes a hobby.
For Jason Tuner, a dancer in Times Square, he says the sneaker world is very competitive. And for him, it’s all about the swag. “If you can dance with fly sneakers, then I have just made a statement," he says.
Wong says sneakerheads also thrive with the hype of a sneaker. Many of his regulars own at least 12 pair of sneakers – and some have more than 200 pairs. Once they know what they want, they’re on the hunt to find the best price, so Wong has to stay competitive.
The birth of sneaker culture dates back to the 70s, when the hip- hop movement started taking over New York City. After Nike and after Michael Jordan introduced the first Air Jordans in the 80s, sneakerhead culture grew and still continues to grow today


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